System and method for providing a visual indicator on a communication device

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for providing a larger display area for viewing pictures and/or videos on a communication device. For example, in one embodiment, a communication device is disclosed comprising a plurality of display components for displaying an image that covers a plurality of sides of the communication device. In certain embodiments, a user first image is displayed in response to receiving an incoming call for providing a visible indicator for alerting the user of an incoming call.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/491,912, filed Jun. 25, 2009 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,260,363 entitledVisual Ringer; the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed embodiments are related to communication devices and, inparticular, to providing a user customizable visual indicator of anincoming call.

Communication devices have generally provided two types of visualindicators. One type is a small light-emitting diode (LED) that blinksto inform a user of an incoming call or a missed call. The other type ofvisual indicator is displaying a caller identification or image on adisplay screen associated with the communication device to inform a userof an incoming call. However, display screens associated withcommunication devices are generally small and face only one direction,thus, a user may not notice a visual indicator of an incoming call. Forinstance, if the communication device is far away and facing up, theuser may not hear the ringtone nor notice the visual indicator.Similarly, if the device is in silent mode and/or is accidentally placedfacing down, the user may not notice an incoming call.

Accordingly, certain of the disclosed embodiments seek to/providesolutions to one or more the above problems associated with visuallynotifying a user of an incoming call.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system, method, andcomputer program product for providing a visual indicator of an incomingcall on a communication device. As referenced herein, an incoming callmay include a voice call, a text message, and/or an e-mail message. Forexample, in one embodiment, a communication device is disclosed havingone or more displays covering two or more surfaces of the communicationdevice. The communication device includes circuitry for connecting theone or more displays to a processing component. The processing componentis configured to display images on the one or more displays to generatea first image that covers the two or more surfaces of the communicationdevice in response to receiving an incoming call. The processingcomponent is further configured to display a second image on the one ormore displays in response to forwarding the incoming call to voicemail.

In another embodiment, a method for providing a visual indicator of anincoming call on a mobile communication device is disclosed thatincludes receiving the incoming call at the mobile communication deviceand displaying a first image on two or more displays in response toreceiving the incoming call. The method further includes displaying asecond image on the one or more displays in response to forwarding theincoming call to voicemail.

Still, in another embodiment, a computer program product comprising acomputer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodiedtherein is disclosed. The computer readable program code includesinstructions to display a first image on one or more displays coveringan entire exterior portion of a mobile communication device in responseto receiving an incoming call to the mobile communication device,wherein the first image is a current profile image of a caller retrievedfrom a social networking website.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described indetail below with reference to the attached figures, which areincorporated by reference herein and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a communication device in accordance with certainembodiments;

FIG. 2 depicts an exterior view of a communication device in accordancewith one embodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a display component that may be utilizedfor displaying an image on a communication device;

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a process for providing a visualindicator on a communication device in response to receiving an incomingcall;

FIG. 5 illustrates an image being depicted on a communication device inaccordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 6A depicts another embodiment of a communication device inaccordance with disclosed embodiments; and

FIG. 6B illustrates an image presented on the communication device ofFIG. 6A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed embodiments and advantages thereof are best understood byreferring to FIGS. 1-6 of the drawings, like numerals being used forlike and corresponding parts of the various drawings. Other features andadvantages of the disclosed embodiments will be or will become apparentto one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the followingfigures and detailed description. It is intended that all suchadditional features and advantages be included within the scope of thedisclosed embodiments. Further, the illustrated figures are onlyexemplary and not intended to assert or imply any limitation with regardto the environment, architecture, design, or process in which differentembodiments may be implemented.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a communication device 100 in accordancewith certain of the disclosed embodiments. In a preferred embodiment,communication device 100 includes a printed circuit board 102 forcommunicatively coupling components of communication device 100. Forinstance, printed circuit board 102 may mechanically support andelectrically connect electronic components, such as, but not limited to,a processor 110, memory 120, and a storage unit 130, using conductivepathways, or traces, etched from copper sheets laminated onto anon-conductive substrate.

Processor 110 may comprise one or more single or multi-core processingunits including, but not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), amicroprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), and/or a digitalsignal processor. A central processing unit (CPU) or processor is anelectronic circuit that can execute computer programs, such as, but notlimited to, instructions 122 stored in memory 120. A microprocessorincorporates most or all of the functions of a central processing unitonto a single integrated circuit (IC). In some embodiments, amicroprocessor may be utilized to perform a specific task. For example,a graphics processing unit is a specialized processor that offloads 3Dgraphics rendering from the central processing unit. Additionally, adigital signal processor is a specialized microprocessor designedspecifically for digital signal processing.

In one embodiment, memory 120 may be volatile memory. Volatile memory ismemory that requires power to maintain stored information. For example,in some embodiments, memory 120 may be random access memory (RAM).Random access memory stores currently executing instructions and/orother data utilized by an operating system, software application and/orother components of communication device 100.

Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, communication device 100includes nonvolatile memory, such as, but not limited to, data storageunit 130. For example, in one embodiment, data storage unit may be ahard drive. In other embodiments, data storage unit 130 may be flashmemory, such as, but not limited to, an xD (extreme Digital) card, SD(Secure Digital) card, or mini SD card. In some embodiments, datastorage unit 130 may be removable and/or interchangeable with othercommunication devices. Additionally, in some embodiments, data storageunit 130 may store computer executable instructions, such as, but notlimited to, software applications. In addition, in some embodiments,data storage unit 130 may store other types of data including, but arenot limited, a configuration file, ring tones, audio files, stillimages, and video files. For example, in one embodiment, data storageunit 130 may include stored images 132. As referenced herein, the termimage includes still images and video files. As will be furtherdescribed, in certain embodiments, store images 132 may be utilized fordisplaying a visual indicator of an incoming call.

In addition, communication device 100 may include a communicationinterface 105. In one embodiment, communication interface 105 is atransceiver that is configured to send and receive data and voicecommunications from a cellular network. In addition, in someembodiments, communication interface 105 may support wireless datacommunications via an IP network, such as, but not limited to, theInternet.

In certain embodiments, communication device 100 may include calleridentification logic 107 for determining the phone number of a callingdevice. As referenced herein, logic is defined as hardware, software,and/or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, caller identificationlogic 107 may also decode a received subscriber calling name associatedwith the calling device. Caller identification logic 107 presents thecaller identification information on a display of communication device100.

Additionally, in some embodiments, communication device 100 may includeconfiguration logic 140 for enabling a user to configure the featuresand functions associated with communication device 100. For instance,configuration logic 140 may include logic for configuring the powermodes of communication device 100, updating telephone numbers andaddress book information, and/or selecting a ring tone.

In addition, as will be further described, in some embodiments,communication device 100 may include image selection logic 150 forselecting an image, sequence of images, and/or video file that may bedisplayed on one or more peripheral displays 170. For instance, in oneembodiment, peripheral displays 170 comprises a plurality of peripheraldisplays (D1-Dxx) that cover the entire exterior portion of thecommunication device. For example, in one embodiment, peripheraldisplays 170 comprises six display units, one for the top surface, onefor the bottom surface, and one on each of the four lateral surfaces ofcommunication device 100. In other embodiments, peripheral displays 170may comprise of a flexible display component that wraps around one ormore sides of communication device 100.

In some embodiments, peripheral displays 170 may comprise a number ofdisplay units corresponding to the number of individual components ofcommunication device 100. For instance, in one embodiment, communicationdevice 100 may include a set of raised keys, such as, but not limitedto, a numbered keypad and/or a QWERTY style keyboard. In theseembodiments, each individual key may be layered with a separate displayunit. In some embodiments, a display unit may consist of a single pixel.For instance, as will be further described, in a preferred embodiment,an OLED display may be printed or layered on top of each component.

Additionally, in some embodiments, communication device 100 may includedisplay logic 160 comprising pixel coordinator 162 and image mapper 164for displaying the selected image on peripheral displays 170 to coverthe exterior portion of communication device 100 with a selected image.For instance, in one embodiment, pixel coordinator 162 determines theplacement/arrangement of the pixels associated with each peripheraldisplay and stores the pixel coordinates in memory. A pixel (or pictureelement) is the smallest item/block of information in an image. Imagemapper 164 uses the pixel coordinates associated with each peripheraldisplay for mapping a selected image onto peripheral displays 170 tocreate an image that spans across the multiple displays.

In addition, in certain embodiments, communication device 100 mayinclude touch screen logic 166 for detecting a user's touch. Forinstance, in one embodiment, peripheral displays 170 may display one ormore control keys in response to detecting a user's touch, or may turnoff peripheral displays 170, and/or may automatically answer an incomingcall.

Further, in some embodiments, communication device 100 may include amotion sensor 180. For instance, in one embodiment, motion sensor 180may utilize to determine whether communication device 100 is in motion.For example, in one embodiment, motion sensor 180 may be utilizedautomatically turn on or off, or trigger changes to displayed images onperipheral displays 170 in response to detecting a user picking upcommunication device 100. In other embodiments, communication device 100may be configured to automatically answer an incoming call in responseto detecting a user picking up communication device 100.

With reference now to FIG. 2A, an external embodiment of communicationdevice 100 is depicted in accordance with certain embodiments. In thedepicted embodiment, communication device 100 comprises of a housing200, a set of raised numbered keys 202, a call button 204, an end-callbutton 206, a set of control keys 208, and a display screen 210. Inaccordance with certain embodiments, each component may be layered witha separate display unit during the manufacturing process. For instance,as will be further described, in one embodiment, each individual numberkey within the set of raised numbered keys 202 may be respectivelylayered with a separate display component D4-D15. In addition, callbutton 204 and end-call button 206 may be respectfully layered withseparate display components D23 and D24. Similarly, the set of controlkeys 208 may be respectfully layered with separate display components D2and D22. Additionally, in certain embodiments, display screen 210 may bethe same type and/or a different type of display component as the othercomponents of communication device 100.

In some embodiments, housing 200 may include one or more displaycomponents, such as, but not limited to, display component D3 andD16-D20. For example, display component 3 (D3) may be layered on thefront surface of communication device 100. Display components 16 and 18(D16, D18) may be respectively layered on each side surface ofcommunication device 100. Display components 17 and 19 may berespectively layered on the bottom and top surface of communicationdevice 100. Additionally, display component 20 (D20) may be layered onthe back surface of communication device 100. Alternatively, in otherembodiments, housing 200 may be layered with a wrap around displaycomponent that covers one or more surfaces.

Display components 1 through 24 may utilize any type of displaytechnology including, but not limited to, liquid crystal display (LCD),LED, OLED, plasma, and/or other types of suitable display technologiesfor generating an image. Liquid crystal display consists of two layersof transparent polarized material. One of the layers is coated with aspecial polymer that holds the individual liquid crystals. Current isthen passed through the individual crystals, which allow the crystals topass or block light to create images. On the other hand, plasmatechnology employs the burning of phosphors to generate an image. Anelectrophoretic display forms visible images by rearranging chargedpigment particles using an applied electric field.

In a preferred embodiment, communication device 100 utilizes organiclight emitting diode (OLED) technology displays for generating an image.OLED is a light emitting diode whose emissive electroluminescent layeris composed of a film of organic compounds. OLEDs emit light through aprocess called electrophosphorescence. A significant benefit of OLEDdisplays is that OLEDs do not require a backlight to function.Additionally, OLED displays draw far less power than other types ofdisplay technology, and therefore, can operate longer on the samecharge. Because there is no need for a backlight, display components 1through 24 can be very thin. For example, OLED displays may be as thinas 500 nanometers in thickness or about 200 times thinner than humanhair.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of an OLED display 300 the may be utilizedby communication device 100 for displaying an image that spans theentire exterior portion of communication device 100. Like an LED, OLEDdisplay 300 is a solid-state semiconductor device. OLED display 300comprises layers of organic material 330. For example, in oneembodiment, organic material layers 330 may include an emissive layerand a conducting layer. The emissive layer is made of organic plasticmolecules that transport electrons from cathode 350 for generatinglight. For example, in one embodiment, polyfluorene may be a polymerused in the emissive layer. The conducting layer is made of organicplastic molecules that transport “holes” from anode 320. In oneembodiment, polyaniline may be a polymer used in the conducting layer.Anode 320 generates electron “holes” by removing electrons when acurrent flows through the device. In contrast, cathode 350 is used toinject electrons when a current flows through the device. The current isreceived from circuitry that connects cathode 350 to printed circuitboard 102 and/or other components of communication device 100.Additionally, in some embodiments, organic material layers 330 maycomprise three or more layers of organic material. The additional layersmay be utilized to help transport electrons from cathode 350 to theemissive layer. Further, in some embodiments, OLED display 300 mayinclude a substrate component 310. Substrate component 310 may be usedto provide support for the components of OLED display 300. In someembodiments, substrate component 310 may be clear plastic, glass, and/orfoil.

In certain embodiments, OLED display 300 may be either a passive-matrixOLED (PMOLED) or an active-matrix OLED (AMOLED). Passive-matrix OLEDshave strips of cathode, organic layers, and strips of anode. The anodestrips are arranged perpendicular to the cathode strips. Theintersections of the cathode and anode make up the pixels where light isemitted. External circuitry applies current to selected strips of anodeand cathode for determining which pixels get turned on. The brightnessof each pixel is proportional to the amount of applied current.

An active-matrix OLED may include a TFT matrix 340, as depicted in FIG.3. TFT matrix 340 is a thin film transistor (TFT) array that forms amatrix. TFT matrix 340 is the circuitry that determines which pixels getturned on to form an image. AMOLEDs consume less power than PMOLEDsbecause the TFT array requires less power than external circuitry. Inaddition, AMOLEDs have faster refresh rates suitable for video.

Additionally, in certain embodiments, OLED display 300 is a transparentOLED. For example, in one embodiment, OLED display 300 may include onlytransparent components (substrate, cathode and anode) and, when turnedoff, OLED display 300 is substantially transparent. For instance, in oneembodiment, a transparent OLED display 300 may be layered on top of aset of function keys (e.g., number keys) of communication device 100 forenabling a user to see the printed function and/or number (e.g., talk,1, 2, 3, . . . ) on the function keys when OLED display 300 is in an offmode.

Further, in a preferred embodiment, OLED display 300 utilizes foldableOLEDs. Foldable OLEDs have substrates made of very flexible metallicfoils or plastics. Foldable OLEDs are very lightweight and durable.Therefore, by utilizing foldable OLEDs, damage to OLED display 300 maybe reduced.

OLED display 300 may be layered on communication device 100 using one ormore known or later developed techniques. For example, in oneembodiment, OLED display 300 may be layered on communication device 100using vacuum thermal evaporation. Vacuum thermal evaporation utilizes avacuum chamber to gently heat/evaporate the organic molecules. Theorganic molecules are then allowed to condense as a thin film.Similarly, OLED display 300 may be manufactured using organic vaporphase deposition. In a preferred embodiment, OLED display 300 is layeredon communication device 100 using inkjet technology to spray the OLEDsonto communication device 100 or components thereof similar to sprayingink onto a piece of paper.

With reference now to FIG. 4, an embodiment of a process 400 ispresented in accordance with certain embodiments for providing a visualindicator in response to receiving an incoming call to communicationdevice 100. Process 400 begins, at step 402, by receiving a userselection of an image that will be displayed on a plurality of displaysthat spans a plurality of sides of a communication device in response toreceiving an incoming call for providing a visual indicator to notify auser of the incoming call. In one embodiment, the image may be a stillimage, a sequence of images, and/or a video file. As referenced herein,the phrase “a plurality of sides” means two or more sides that facedifferent directions.

In some embodiments, process 400 may, at step 404, associate theselected image with a user specified caller identifier. Additionally, incertain embodiments, the image may be stored locally on communicationdevice 100 and/or may be stored on a remote network device. For example,in certain embodiments, communication device 100 may communicate with anetwork device such as, but not limited to, a Web application server forenabling a user to link a caller ID with a particular social networkingwebsite user account. In these embodiments, communication device 100 mayretrieve a profile image of the caller from a social networking websitefor displaying the profile image in response to receiving a call fromthe caller. In certain embodiments, communication device 100 may storethe profile image locally and may periodically communicate with thesocial networking website to update the profile image. In otherembodiments, communication device 100 may retrieve the current profileimage in real-time from the social networking website in response toreceiving a call associated with the user specified caller ID. In otherembodiments, a user may select any type of image, sequence of images,and/or video that is displayed in response to receiving an incomingcall.

At step 406, the process determines the mapping coordinates for mappingthe image onto the plurality of displays associated with thecommunication device. For instance, in one embodiment, the process maydetermine the pixel coordinates associated with each display componentand utilize that information for determining the mapping of the image.When the process receives an incoming call matching the calleridentification at step 408, the process, at step 410, presents the imageon the plurality of displays of the communication device for providing avisual indicator of the incoming call.

In one embodiment, the image may span/wrap around the entire exteriorportion of communication device 100. In other embodiments, the image mayappear only on non-downward facing sides of communication device 100 toconserve energy and for properly displaying the image only on viewablesides. For instance, communication device 100 may include an orientationsensor or touch sensor for determining a downward facing side. Adownward facing side is any side that is in contact with a surface. Forexample, if communication device 100 is placed on a desk, the side ofcommunication device 100 in contact with the desk is a downward facingside. The downward facing side of communication device 100 may changedepending on how communication device 1000 is oriented.

In some embodiment, the process, at step 412, may determine whether auser picks up communication device 100 using a touch sensor and/or amotion sensor. For instance, in certain embodiments, communicationdevice 100 may comprise flat touch screen panels such as depicted inFIG. 6A. In these embodiments, process 400, at step 418, may display aset of control keys, such as, but not limited to, an answer button forenabling a user to answer the incoming call. In other embodiments, theprocess, at step 420, may have been configured to automatically answerthe incoming call in response to detecting a user. Optionally, incertain embodiments, the process may, at step 416, display a differentimage in response to the incoming call being routed to voicemail.Additionally, in certain embodiments, the process, at step 414, may turnoff the displays in response to detecting the presence of a user, withprocess 400 terminating thereafter.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of communication device 100 inaccordance with the disclosed embodiments. In the depicted embodiment,an image and/or video of a fire is selected as a visual indicator image.In response to receiving an incoming call, communication device 100displays the flame image and/or video on the plurality of displaycomponents to create an image that communication device 100 is coveredin flames. In some embodiments, the flame image may be generated bycommunication device 100 by rapidly displaying a sequence of flameimages that produces a visual effect of a real fire. In otherembodiments, communication device 100 may include logic for modifyingthe flame image to produce a dynamically moving image. For instance, inone embodiment, communication device 100 may utilize the stored pixelmapping data to dynamically turn particular pixels on and/or off togenerate of a visual effect of a moving flame. In one embodiment, inresponse to detecting a user's presence of (e.g., a touch and/ormovement), communication device 100 turns off the display componentsrevealing the standard components of communication device 100.

In other embodiments, communication device 100 may include only flatsurfaces. For example, FIG. 6A depicts an embodiment of a communicationdevice 600 in accordance with the disclosed invention. In the depictedembodiment, communication device 600 may comprise of one or more touchscreen display components. For instance, in one embodiment,communication device 600 may comprise of six display components labeledD50-D60. In this embodiment, each display component is oriented todisplay an image on a particular side of communication device 600, asdepicted by the direction of the arrows respectively associated withD50-D60. In other embodiments, communication device 600 may comprise adisplay component that covers one or more sides of communication device600. Additionally, in certain embodiments, communication device 600 mayinclude logic for presenting a touchable keypad and/or other informationfor enabling a user to utilize communication device 600.

FIG. 6B illustrates the flame image and/or video presented oncommunication device 600. In one embodiment, the image is displayed inresponse to receiving an incoming call. Of course, in certainembodiments, communication device 100 and/or communication device 600may simply utilize one or more of the plurality of display componentsfor providing a larger display area for viewing pictures and/or videos.Additionally, in certain embodiments, different images may besimultaneously displayed on one or more display components and/or sidesof communication device 100/600. For example, in one embodiment,communication device 100 may display a video on a front side ofcommunication device 100, display a stock ticker on one side ofcommunication device 100, and display a headline news ticker on theother side of communication device 100.

Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments provide a system and method forproviding a more visible indicator of an incoming call on acommunication device. In addition, the disclosed embodiments provide alarger display area for viewing pictures and/or videos on thecommunication device. The disclosed embodiments are described above withreference to flowchart illustrations, sequence diagrams, and/or blockdiagrams. Each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or blockdiagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrationsand/or block diagrams, may be implemented by computer programinstructions. In addition, the flowchart and block diagrams in thefigures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation ofpossible implementations of systems, methods and computer programproducts according to various embodiments of the present invention. Inthis regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may representa module, segment, or portion of code, which may include one or moreexecutable instructions for implementing the specified logicalfunction(s).

In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blockmay occur out of the order noted in the figures and/or may be omitted.In addition, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executedsubstantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed inthe reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. Further,in some embodiments, each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/orflowchart illustration, may be implemented entirely with hardware or asa software embodiment (including firmware, resident software,micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardwareaspects for performing the specified functions or acts.

Additionally, computer program instructions for executing the disclosedembodiments may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that candirect a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus tofunction in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored inthe computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture includinginstruction means which implement the function/act specified in theflowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. The computer programinstructions may also be loaded onto a data processing apparatus tocause a series of operational steps to be performed on the dataprocessing system to produce a computer implemented process such thatthe instructions which execute on the data processing system provideprocesses for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchartand/or block diagram block or blocks.

The terminology used herein is for describing particular embodimentsonly and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As usedherein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification and/or the claims,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The description of the present invention has been presented for purposesof illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Thedisclosed embodiments were chosen to explain the principles of theinvention and the practical application, and to enable others ofordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for variousembodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particularuse contemplated.

We claim:
 1. A communication device comprising: one or more displayscovering two or more surfaces of the communication device; and circuitryfor connecting the one or more displays to a processing component;wherein the processing component is configured to display images on theone or more displays to generate a first image that covers the two ormore surfaces of the communication device in response to receiving anincoming call; and wherein the processing component is furtherconfigured to display a second image on the one or more displays inresponse to forwarding the incoming call to voicemail.
 2. Thecommunication device of claim 1, wherein the one or more displays coversan entire exterior portion of the communication device; and wherein thefirst image covers the entire exterior portion of the communicationdevice.
 3. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the first imagecovers all non-downward facing surfaces of the communication device. 4.The communication device of claim 1, wherein the first image is selectedbased on a caller identification associated with the incoming call, andwherein the first image is a current profile image of a caller retrievedfrom a social networking website.
 5. The communication device of claim1, further comprising: a motion sensor for detecting movement of thecommunication device; and logic for turning off the one or more displaysin response to the motion sensor detecting movement of the communicationdevice.
 6. The communication device of claim 1, further comprising touchscreen logic for turning off the one or more displays in response todetecting a user's touch.
 7. The communication device of claim 1,further comprising display logic for displaying a set of control keysassociated with the communication device in response to a determinationthat a user is handling the communication device.
 8. The communicationdevice of claim 1, wherein the two or more surfaces of the communicationdevice includes a set of raised keys.
 9. The communication device ofclaim 8, wherein each individual key within the set of raised keys islayered with a separate display component.
 10. The communication deviceof claim 1, further comprising communication logic for receiving theimages from a network device in communication with the communicationdevice.
 11. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the one or moredisplays are transparent when not displaying an image.
 12. Thecommunication device of claim 1, wherein the images include video imagesor a sequence of images.
 13. A method for providing a visual indicatorof an incoming call on a mobile communication device, the methodcomprising: receiving the incoming call at the mobile communicationdevice; displaying, using a processor of the mobile communicationdevice, a first image on two or more displays in response to receivingthe incoming call; and displaying a second image on the one or moredisplays in response to forwarding the incoming call to voicemail. 14.The method of claim 13, further comprising selecting the first imagebased on a caller identification associated with the incoming call. 15.The method of claim 14, further comprising retrieving the first imagefrom a network device.
 16. The method of claim 13, further comprisingturning off the one or more displays in response to detecting movementof the mobile communication device.
 17. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising displaying a set of control keys on the one or more displaysin response to detecting movement of the mobile communication device.18. The method of claim 13, further comprising configuring the mobilecommunication device to automatically answer the incoming call inresponse to detecting a user picking up the mobile communication device.19. A computer program product comprising a computer usable mediumhaving a computer readable program code embodied therein, the computerreadable program code comprising instructions to display a first imageon one or more displays covering an entire exterior portion of a mobilecommunication device in response to receiving an incoming call to themobile communication device, wherein the first image is a currentprofile image of a caller retrieved from a social networking website.20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the computerreadable program code further comprises instructions to automaticallyanswer the incoming call in response to detecting a user picking up themobile communication device.